Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists he won't change Rangers philosophy

The Ibrox boss has faced criticism following back-to-back 4-0 defeats

Published 13th Sep 2022
Last updated 13th Sep 2022

Giovanni van Bronckhorst will stand by his style of play, despite successive 4-0 defeats putting him under the spotlight ahead Rangers' Champions League clash with Napoli at Ibrox.

The Light Blues began their first Champions League campaign in 12 years last Wednesday night with a demoralising drubbing by Ajax in Amsterdam, which followed a heavy loss to Old Firm rivals Celtic at Parkhead in the cinch Premiership.

The Gers boss, who revealed goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin picked up an injury in the Netherlands and will be replaced by 40-year-old Allan McGregor, while skipper James Tavernier has shrugged off a knock, is adamant that he will stick to his style of play.

Quizzed about a possible change for Wednesday's visit of the Serie A leaders, who beat Liverpool 4-1 last week, the Dutchman said: 'No, nothing to change about philosophy. Two weeks ago we qualified for the Champions League.

"Everything was fine. Everyone was praised - about the team, about the staff, about the club. We're doing well.

"Two defeats later it looks like we haven't performed in the last couple of years. That's the dynamic of football.

"I'm not changing anything about my philosophy, how I want to play. Of course there is a lot of room for improvement.

"I think the most disappointing thing about the last two games is that we didn't perform. That's the disappointment I have, for sure the players have it because we have talked about it. That's something that has to change.

"Losing two games against good opponents...you don't play every year in the Champions League.

"The level we're facing in this couple of months, we have never endured that in the last 12 years. So, of course, it's going to be tough. But I don't understand why we have to put our philosophy on the side.

"We can go to Ajax and play with 10 defenders and try and keep the zero, but we're not improving as a team like that. I'm sure the opponent we faced against Ajax was an experience my team won't forget.

"The big learning point is to do it different tomorrow against another quality team in Napoli.

"For sure we faced heavy defeats. We talked about it and now is the chance tomorrow to get a good result.

"Playing at home for us is a big difference. Being a Rangers manager or a Rangers player, two defeats in a row is not acceptable.

"That's something different than putting your philosophy aside. We go out tomorrow with the same philosophy and try and win the game."

Van Bronckhorst insists he has every faith in the experienced McGregor coming in for such a big game.

He said: "Jon is not available, he picked up an injury in the last game so we will not be involved.

"Of course it is different for Allan, that he is not starting the games from the beginning.

"He is still the same, still the same in training, he is still the same person and I have every faith in him when he plays tomorrow because of the experience he has. He will be fine.

"I have no doubt in my mind that he will perform."

Tavernier failed to return after the break in Amsterdam, but Van Bronckhorst believes the weekend's rest, after their Premiership match with Aberdeen was postponed following the death of the Queen, will have benefited the full-back.

He said: "Well he's definitely better than last week because all the games we played in a row did not help his physique.

"The one-week break for Tav is really welcome because it meant he could recover more days than normally.

"He is an important player. You can see his quality he brings to the team.

"He will be much better physically than he played against Ajax."

Rangers Managers

William Wilton

William Wilton was Rangers' first manager who served the club in this post for over 20 years from 1899 to 1920. In his time at Rangers he brought home eight league titles and one Scottish Cup before passing away while still in his position as manager on the 2nd May 1920.

Bill Struth

The most decorated and longest-serving Rangers manager to-date Bill Struth, managed Rangers from 1920 all the way up to 1954. He won 18 League titles and 10 Scottish Cups as well as 2 League Cups and seven wartime League Championships.

Scot Symon

Scot Symon managed Rangers from 1954 to 1967 and guided the team to six League titles, five Scottish Cups and 4 League Cups. He was also the first Rangers manager to have previously played for the club and helped the club win a League title in 1939.

David White

Having previously played for Clyde, David White became manager of Rangers in November of 1967 and was the first Rangers manager not to win any major honours while in charge. He then became one of the three managers dismissed by the club in 1969.

William Waddell

Ex-Rangers player William Waddell took the helm at the end of 1969 and led the side to a League Cup win and to their only continental trophy victory in the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup Final 3-2 against Dynamo Moscow.

Jock Wallace

Jock Wallace managed Rangers from 1972 – 1978 and then again from 1983 – 1986, where he won the Treble of winning the League title, Scottish Cup and League Cup in the seasons 1975-76 and 1977-78.

John Greig MBE

John Greig MBE spent his entire professional career with Rangers, from starting off on the pitch as a Defender to becoming Manager in 1978. During his five-year managerial stint, he won the Scottish Cup and League Cup twice. He was also voted 'The Greatest Ever Ranger' in 1999 by the club's supporters.

Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness became a player-manager at Rangers with Walter Smith assisting him at the helm. Within his five years in charge, from 1986- 1991, aside from winning 3 league titles and 4 league cups, he broke down barriers by signing Mo Johnston, the first Roman-Catholic addition to the Rangers team.

Walter Smith OBE

From 1991 – 1998, Walter Smith OBE stepped away from his previous Assistant Manager role and led Rangers to achieve League titles, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups. He then came back to manage Rangers from 2007- 2011, winning eight more major prizes for the club.

Dick Advocaat

Dick Advocaat managed Rangers from 1998 – 2001 and won two League titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup. Notably, in his first season at Rangers, he led the team to finish six points above Celtic, who they defeated 1-0 in the Scottish Cup final.

Alex Mcleish

Notably winning the domestic Treble in his second season, Alex McLeish in total achieved two League titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups. He was the Manager of Rangers when they clinched the Scottish Premiere on goal difference.

Paul Le Guen

French player and manager Paul Le Guen took over from McLeish in 2006 before leaving in mid-2007 without winning any prizes for the club. At the time, this made him Rangers' shortest serving manager.

Ally McCoist MBE

In May 2011, Ex-player Ally McCoist took to the helm of Rangers and saw them through entering administration in 2012. He described the position as a 'dream job at a nightmare time' and left the position in December 2014.

Mark Warburton

From June 2015 – February 2017, Mark Warburton managed Rangers where he notably came out on top of an Old Firm victory in the Scottish Cup Final where the team won 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 game.

Pedro Caixinha

Pedro Caixinha managed Rangers from March 2017- October that same year. He failed to obtain any prizes before he was dismissed by the club.

Graeme Murty

Graeme Murty was the caretaker manager for Rangers from February – March 2017 before being appointed as the official manager in October that same year. He was in the role until May 2018.

Steven Gerrard

From June 2018 – November 2021, ex-Liverpool player Steven Gerrard managed Rangers gaining the team their first League title since 2011. He then stepped down to manage Aston Villa.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

Former player Giovanni van Bronckhorst returned to Ibrox to take over from Steven Gerrard in November 2021. The Dutchman led the Ibrox side to the Europa League final and won the Scottish Cup in his first season in charge. He left late in 2022 after a poor string of results and performances.